Dog crate cover buying guide
Best dog crate covers in the UK
Compare dog crate covers for wire crates by external fit, opening panels, airflow, washability and safe use in the home.
Our recommendations
Covers with useful opening options
These are selected 36-inch versions. A cover only helps if it fits without blocking a door or airflow and the dog cannot pull loose fabric through the bars.
Explore Land 36-inch dog crate cover
Best for: A two-door wire crate needing roll-up openings and a mesh window
A 36 × 23 × 25-inch polyester cover with separate door flaps, a mesh window and bottom toggles for a standard wire crate.
What stands out
- Separate door flaps
- Mesh window
- Bottom toggles
Keep in mind
- Fits a specific outer footprint
- Not suitable for fabric pulling
- Can trap heat if openings are closed
- About 91 × 58 × 64cm
- Two door flaps
- Mesh window
MidWest 36-inch washable crate cover
Best for: A MidWest 36-inch wire crate needing a lightweight fitted cover
A polyester cover measuring about 91.4 × 58.4 × 63.5cm, with adjustable flaps and tabs. It is listed as machine washable.
What stands out
- Machine washable
- Multiple door flaps
- Published model compatibility
Keep in mind
- Top-door crates excluded
- No guaranteed fit across brands
- Cover is not a distress treatment
- About 91 × 58 × 64cm
- Polyester
- Machine washable
Zettum coated 36-inch crate cover
Best for: A 36-inch wire crate where an easily wiped outer cover is useful
A 91 × 58 × 64cm coated Oxford-fabric cover with roll-up panels and a water-repellent outer surface.
What stands out
- Published dimensions
- Roll-up panels
- Wipeable coated outer
Keep in mind
- Coating can reduce airflow when fully closed
- Requires careful heat checks
- Exact fit varies by crate
- 91 × 58 × 64cm
- Coated Oxford fabric
- Roll-up panels
Scroll horizontally to see all columns →
| Cover | Listed outer fit | Access | Care priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explore Land | about 91 × 58 × 64cm | Two roll-up door flaps; mesh window | Keep mesh and front clear |
| MidWest | about 91 × 58 × 64cm | Multiple flaps; no top door | Machine-washable fabric |
| Zettum | 91 × 58 × 64cm | Roll-up panels | Wipe coated outer; avoid heat build-up |
Measure the crate, then choose the opening
Use the crate's external dimensions for a cover. Measure length, width and height with the crate assembled, including any handle or raised top bar. Mark the front and side doors. A cover designed for one front door can obstruct the second opening on a two-door crate, and a top-door crate needs an especially careful compatibility check.
The published 36-inch size is a nominal length, not a promise that every 36-inch wire crate has the same roof or sides. A tight cover can pull across a door or trap heat; a loose one can drop within reach of the dog. Read our internal versus external crate dimensions if the labels are confusing.
The covers in detail
Explore Land: adjust the visible sides
The selected Explore Land cover is listed at 36 × 23 × 25 inches and has two door flaps plus a mesh window. That gives a two-door crate more flexibility: keep the used door and mesh area open while reducing light on another side. Bottom toggles help hold the cover in position, but check that no strap or panel can be mouthed from inside.
MidWest: matched fit and machine wash
MidWest lists this cover at roughly 91.4 × 58.4 × 63.5cm for selected iCrate and New World models. Its adjustable flaps can serve more than one door arrangement, but the listing excludes top-door crates. Machine washing is useful after dust or muddy contact; dry it completely before fitting it again.
Zettum: coated outer surface
Zettum's 91 × 58 × 64cm cover has roll-up panels and a coated outer. This can be practical to wipe, but a heavy coated fabric demands particular care with airflow and temperature. Do not interpret weather-resistant marketing as approval to leave a household dog crate outside.
Introduce any cover gradually
Try the cover while the dog can choose to enter or leave. Start over the roof and back with the front open. Watch whether the dog settles, changes position, pants, paws at the fabric or tries to pull it inside. A cover that appears cosy to a person may feel too enclosed to that dog.
Keep the crate away from direct sun and radiators and keep a water bowl accessible. Check the air within the covered space, not just the room temperature. If the dog struggles in the crate, read should you cover a dog crate? and signs of crate distress before trying to block more light.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to cover a dog crate?
A partial cover can suit a dog who remains relaxed, provided airflow, temperature, water access and the exit stay safe. Do not use one if the dog drags fabric inside, overheats or becomes distressed.
Should a crate cover go over all four sides?
Start with the top and perhaps the back while leaving the front open. Adjust only after observing the dog's preference and keeping plenty of clear ventilation.
What size cover fits a 36-inch crate?
There is no universal fit. Compare the exact external length, width, height, handle and door positions with the cover's published dimensions.
Can a cover stop barking or separation anxiety?
A cover can reduce visual stimulation for some dogs, but it is not a treatment for fear, isolation distress or separation-related problems. Speak to a vet or qualified behaviour professional if distress persists.
Can I use a blanket instead of a fitted cover?
A light blanket can work if it stays secure, leaves ample airflow and cannot be pulled through bars. Do not let heavy fabric hang over the door or place it near a heat source.
Sources
- PDSA — crate training and setup — optional top-and-side cover, comfort and location
- RSPCA — how to crate train a puppy — partial cover may help some nervous dogs
- Product specification pages linked in the guide